Indiana

News about Indiana, including commentary and archival articles published in The New York Times.

Chronology of Coverage

Jul. 2, 2015

First Church of Cannabis in Indianapolis, Ind, where marijuana is legal, is testing limits of state's religious freedom law by claiming marijuana use as part of broad spiritual philosophy. MORE

Jun. 13, 2015

Indianapolis Journal; Indiana's lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender population kicks off nine-day pride celebration in capital Indianapolis; event comes amid aftermath of state's religious exceptions law, which many viewed as license to discriminate against same-sex couples and sparked furious backlash, prompting many state residents and businesses to declare their support for equal rights. MORE

May. 22, 2015

Indiana approves needle exchange program through May 24, 2016 for Scott County, which is at center of largest HIV outbreak in state's history; county has been operating a temporary needle exchange under Gov Mike Pence's executive order. MORE

May. 12, 2015

Agriculture Dept says H5N8 strain of avian flu has been confirmed in poultry flock in Indiana; strain had previously only been found in Western United States. MORE

May. 7, 2015

Indiana Gov Mike Pence approves Republican-backed measure that would repeal law setting wages for state and local government construction projects. MORE

Apr. 21, 2015

Indiana Gov Mike Pence extends needle exchange program as number of HIV cases in Scott County, linked to intravenous use of prescription painkiller Opana, continues to grow. MORE

Apr. 19, 2015

Indiana health officials report significant increase in HIV cases in Scott County over short period of time, with number of confirmed cases rising from 106 to 120 in one week; officials say they expect number to rise as more people are tested in midst of outbreak tied to drug use; growing number of cases could pressure Gov Mike Pence to extend temporary 30-day needle exchange program. MORE

Apr. 16, 2015

Angie's List announces that chief executive William S Oesterle is stepping down, only weeks after he led businesses in opposing Indiana religious freedom law that many viewed to be discriminatory against gays; Indiana-based company says Oesterle plans to become more involved in state issues. MORE

Apr. 7, 2015

Opposition to state religious freedom law by sports groups in Indiana was motivated by desire to keep state welcoming to industry that has fueled recovery from economic decline; groups, including NCAA and several professional leagues, were key factor in pressuring Republican state legislature to amend provisions that had been widely viewed as antigay. MORE

Apr. 5, 2015

Indiana residents are distressed at image of intolerance that debate over religious freedom law has given their state, where many pride themselves on generosity and friendliness. MORE

Apr. 5, 2015

Michael Powell Sports of The Times column notes that Massachusetts guard Derrick Gordon and former NBA center Jason Collins, who both have come out as gay, are visiting Indianapolis for Final Four as controversy grows over state's religious freedom bill; observes that both sports and LGBT communities have joined in fight against divisive law, which allows businesses to refuse to offer certain services to gays and lesbians. MORE

Apr. 5, 2015

Frank Bruni Op-Ed column disputes notion that devout Christianity and homosexuality are in conflict, which seems to be basis for drama in Indiana and in the country generally over religious freedom laws; suggests that those who persist in seeing homosexuality as a sin must recognize that it is their choice, one based on emphasizing importance of select Bible passages written in different era with limited understanding of homosexuality. MORE

Apr. 5, 2015

Ross Douthat Op-Ed column examines his own personal views on Indiana's debate over religious freedom and same-sex marriage, illuminating just how complex issue can be for many Christians. MORE

Apr. 4, 2015

Political Memo; tumult in Indiana and Arkansas over religious freedom legislature underscores revival of culture wars, as well as expectations and pressures among Democrats and Republicans; parties have traded places on battles over social issues, with Democrats united in opposition and Republicans riven by dissent. MORE

Apr. 3, 2015

Conservative leaders are beating hasty retreat from religious freedom laws in Arkansas and Indiana amid backlash over their implications for gay civil rights; concessions have left Christian leaders unsettled and uncertain about future of laws that had been embraced as conservative answer to rapidly shifting national views on gay marriage and similar issues. MORE

Apr. 3, 2015

Lawmakers in Indiana and Arkansas approve new legislation to remove most contentious language from religious freedom measures that were widely perceived as anti-gay, albeit in different ways; critics say new versions are not enough to prevent discrimination, while conservative supporters see new versions as hopelessly watered down. MORE

Apr. 3, 2015

Marc Tracy On College Basketball column notes seemingly awkward situation for NCAA as men's basketball tournament Final Four games are set to be played in Indiana while debate rages over state's new religious freedom law; holds that move actually gives association chance to take moral high ground and divert attention from its more divisive economic issues. MORE

Apr. 2, 2015

Gail Collins Op-Ed column addresses political mess in Indiana after Gov Mike Pence signed controversial religious freedom legislation; dismisses arguments from Pence and other Indiana politicians who claim law was not intended to enable discrimination against gays; lampoons current effort to walk back offensive law while maintaining support of state's social conservatives. MORE

Apr. 1, 2015

Arkansas passes its own version of bill portrayed by supporters as a religious freedom law, while Indiana Gov Mike Pence faces critics who contend its law could be wielded to discriminate against gay couples; Arkansas Gov Asa Hutchinson says he will sign measure, while Pence faces pressure on both sides from business and conservatives. MORE

Apr. 1, 2015

Indiana Gov Mike Pence, responding to backlash over religious freedom law, promises to amend law's language to make clear that it does not give businesses right to deny services to same-sex couples; pledge, however, may not stem political fallout in what has come to be most turbulent incident of Pence's career. MORE

Apr. 1, 2015

Technology industry leaders have rallied in opposition to new Indiana law that could allow businesses to discriminate against gay couples; passionate reaction is in contrast to industry's conspicuous silence on other prominent social issues; shift indicates how relatively young industry may be beginning to embrace its role as cultural and business leader. MORE

Mar. 31, 2015

Weekly, free, specialty clinic is set to open in Austin, Ind, town in Scott County that is home to almost all of the 80 plus people who have tested positive for HIV since December 2014; clinic is part of state's response to outbreak, which largely stems from intravenous use of painkiller Opana and has prompted Gov Mike Pence to declare public health emergency in the county. MORE

Mar. 31, 2015

News Analysis; twenty states, including most recently Indiana, have passed their own versions of religious freedom laws; civil rights advocates contend state laws are not intended to protect religious minorities but are instead allowing some religious groups to discriminate against women, gays and lesbians and other groups. MORE

Mar. 31, 2015

Editorial maintains it is clear that Indiana's religious-freedom law has underlying purpose of discriminating against gay couples who wish to be married; disputes notion that free exercise of religion is under assault in Indiana or anywhere else in country; argues that law uses religion as cover for discrimination. MORE

Mar. 31, 2015

David Brooks Op-Ed column expresses concern that critics of Indiana law, which is remarkably similar to federal 1993 Religious Freedom Restoration Act, seem to be suggesting that there is no valid tension between religious pluralism and equality; cautions that gay rights movement is in position to retain moral high ground by using steady pressure and attitude of tolerance instead of coercion from an absolutist position. MORE

Mar. 31, 2015

NCAA president Mark Emmert voices further concerns about new Indiana law that critics say will condone discrimination against gay people; Indianapolis-based organization has used lobbyists to oppose the law, and asserts that it could interfere with its ability to conduct business in a way that reflects institutional values; dispute has garnered increased attention amid Final Four of NCAA men's basketball tournament. MORE

Mar. 30, 2015

Indiana Gov Mike Pence rejects criticism of state's Religious Freedom Restoration Act, which he signed into law, saying he expects General Assembly to introduce legislation that will clarify law's intent; measure has spurred protests and threats to halt business with state over what critics say is law that condones discrimination against gays and lesbians. MORE

Mar. 30, 2015

William C Rhoden Sports of The Times column commends NCAA for expression of concern over Indiana's new religious freedom law, which could allow businesses to discriminate against homosexuals; urges Gov Mike Pence to repeal or amend law quickly, as many sports organizations may decide not to do business in state until he does. MORE

Mar. 29, 2015

Indiana Gov Mike Pence says he will support legislation to clarify intent behind state religious freedom law that has been criticized by those who say it will allow businesses to discriminate against gay people. MORE

Mar. 28, 2015

Passage of Indiana law that may make it easier for businesses to refuse service to gay couples ignites uproar of protest from technology companies, actors and NCAA, which is based in Indianapolis and will hold Final Four of men's basketball tournament there; supporters of measure say it protects religious freedoms. MORE

Mar. 27, 2015

Indiana Gov Mike Pence declares public health emergency following outbreak of HIV in state's southeastern region; authorizes short-term needle exchange program despite long opposition to such policy; officials have traced 71 new cases of HIV since mid-December 2014 to intravenous use of prescription painkiller. MORE

Mar. 27, 2015

Indiana becomes first state to enact religious objections bill as Gov Mike Pence signs controversial measure into law; critics say bill is discriminatory against gay people but supporters contend law protects businesses from being compelled to provide same-sex wedding services if they choose not to because of religious beliefs. MORE

Mar. 27, 2015

College Basketball Notebook; Indiana's new law allowing businesses to refuse service to same-sex couples poses problem for NCAA, which must now decide whether to hold events in Indianapolis, city scheduled to host final four round of men's basketball tournament. MORE

Mar. 24, 2015

Indiana House passes bill to protect business owners who do not want to provide services for same-sex couples based on religious grounds. MORE

Feb. 14, 2015

Common Core standards are at center of battles over control of classrooms between state educators and governors and other public officials across states like Indiana and Louisiana; Arizona's Board of Education votes to restore office access to staff members fired by Diane M Douglas, state's schools superintendent, who accused them of trying to impede any changes to Common Core. MORE

Jan. 28, 2015

Obama administration, in unprecedented move, agrees to allow Indiana Gov Mike Pence to expand Medicaid in state to include mandate of monthly premiums for those above poverty level of 2 percent of their household incomes; additional 350,000 residents will be covered under plan, which also features penalties for non-payment. MORE

Dec. 20, 2014

Country music duo Sugarland, concert promoter Live Nation and 16 other defendants agree to pay $39 million to settle claims from 2011 Indiana State Fair stage collapse that killed seven people and injured nearly 100 others. MORE

Nov. 20, 2014

Funeral service for Peter Kassig, former Army Ranger who was beheaded by Islamic State extremists, will be held at Islamic center in Fishers, Ind. MORE

Nov. 17, 2014

Juliet Macur Sports of the Times column highlights community response in Hayden, Ind, after 11-year-old Calvin Clark sustained severe head injury in football game that resulted in surgery to repair burst blood vessel in his brain; incident forced small town to confront issue of football safety while residents rallied to raise funds and support Calvin's family. MORE

Oct. 7, 2014

Supreme Court lets stand appeals court rulings allowing same-sex marriage in five states in a move that may signal the inevitability of a nationwide right to such unions; development clears way for same-sex marriages in Indiana, Oklahoma, Utah, Virginia and Wisconsin. MORE

Oct. 7, 2014

Gay couples in Indiana, Oklahoma, Utah, Virginia and Wisconsin rush to get married after Supreme Court refuses to hear any of the same-sex marriage appeals before it; same-sex marriage bans are almost certain to be overturned in six other states as a result of the ruling. MORE

Sep. 16, 2014

Same-sex couples hoping to get married in Indiana will have to wait until the United States Supreme Court addresses the question of whether gay marriage bans are constitutional. MORE

Sep. 5, 2014

Federal appeals court in Chicago declares bans on same-sex marriage in Indiana and Wisconsin to be unconstitutional; ruling adds to growing list of marriage equality cases that could be tried before Supreme Court in coming year. MORE

Aug. 27, 2014

Panel of federal appeals judges bristle at arguments defending bans on same-sex marriage in Indiana and Wisconsin; Judge Richard A Posner compares them to laws that once barred mixed-race marriages; attorneys general in both states asked appellate court to permanently restore the bans, which were ruled unconstitutional; its ruling could affect hundreds of couples. MORE

May. 29, 2014

Officials from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reverse an earlier announcement, and say that an Illinois man who met with an Indiana man who later fell ill with Middle East Respiratory Syndrome, or MERS, did not pick up the virus from him; the patient from Illinois was mistakenly diagnosed, and it is now confirmed that he never had MERS. MORE

May. 16, 2014

Indiana Gov Mike Pence proposes using federal Medicaid funds available under Affordable Care Act to expand state health insurance program to cover additional 350,000 low-income adults; many participants would pay $3 to $25 a month; Pence is among several Republican governors who have opposed expanding traditional Medicaid, calling it a failure, yet have pursued federal money for alternative models. MORE

May. 12, 2014

High School students in Hagerstown, Ind, are raising cattle to supply cheaper, healthier food for their cafeteria; students enrolled in agricultural science class are part of program, similar to many across country, designed to confront costs of population decline and concerns that local agricultural ties are disappearing. MORE

May. 3, 2014

Viral disease known as Middle East respiratory syndrome, or MERS, is found for first time in United States in an Indiana health care worker who traveled to Saudi Arabia; virus has killed more than 100 people in Middle East. MORE

Apr. 29, 2014

Indiana’s State Board of Education approves new math and English standards to replace federal Common Core benchmarks. MORE

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General Information on Indiana

Official Name: State of Indiana
Nickname: The Hoosier State
Capital: Indianapolis
Largest City: Indianapolis
Admitted to Union December 11, 1816
Land Area and rank: 35,867 square miles; 38th
Postal Abbreviation: IN
Web site:Indiana.gov/